Lost: 7 Things You Need to Know
This article about an Idaho hunter becoming lost in the woods made me think about how easily that can happen.
Many of us are confident about our skills in the woods and forests and don’t consider the possibility of getting lost. When the area is one we frequent, this is even more likely to be the case. Exploring a new hunting spot is where becoming lost is most likely to occur, but it’s something that can happen no matter where you are.
With this in mind, here is a list of things you should do to help keep yourself from becoming lost in the woods or if you do, to help you come out alive.
- Tell someone where you’ll be and when you’ll be back. Letting someone know where you’ll be and approximately when you’ll be back should be a given. Even if you don’t become lost, the possibility of being injured and needing help is always a real one.
- Whenever possible, hunt with a partner. Hunting with a friend improves the chances of help being close by when you need it. It also never hurts to have someone along to help with the dragging if you get lucky either.
- Watch the weather and be prepared for sudden changes. The woods can become a different place when the weather changes. A sudden snow storm can turn familiar surroundings into an unfamiliar landscape in a matter of hours. Keep up to date on weather conditions so you can plan to leave early if you need to.
- Mark your trail. Marking your trail in and out so it is easily visible is a simple way to never get lost. There are many products to do so with and are both inexpensive and take up very little room in your pack.
- Carry a compass or GPS unit. Carrying a compass and knowing how to use it are something every outdoorsman should know how to do. If a compass isn’t your thing, GPS units have gotten smaller, simpler to use, and more reasonably priced. They are potential lifesaves and can also be used to mark promising spots to revisit and hunt as well.
- Get a map. Maps are an essential tool for any hunter. Topographical maps are great for hunting purposes, but if they focus on too small an area they may not be good if you happen to get lost. Most states now offer an atlas of topographical maps that cover most of their areas. If one of these isn’t available, a standard road map of the state will at least allow you to find the distance to the nearest roads and whether to sit still and wait for help or try to get out on your own.
- Be prepared in case you do get lost. A few survival items carried in your pack can be the difference of survival and death if you do get lost. A thermal survival blanket, emergency whistle, waterproof matches, and energy bars are a good start to include. Depending on the amount of room in your pack, there are additional items that can make being stuck in the wild more comfortable.
These are seven basic things you can do to keep from getting lost in the woods, or at least survive if you do get turned around and have to spend the night. Always try to remember them and maybe you won’t end up like the hunter in the article linked above.
If you have any other suggestions, feel free to share them with everyone by leaving a comment.
Cliff
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Lost, 7 Things You Need to Know, woods, survival, hunting, list, weather, trip planning, trail, trail markers, compass, gps, maps
October 24th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
I’m not a hunter, but my father is, and when he goes to another state or country to hunt, he always uses a guide. Looks can be deceiving in the woods and its easy to get lost when you’re hunting in a completely new area!
October 24th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
So very true. Having a guide is a huge benefit if you don’t know the area.